Square plug flanger



Nov. 20, 1945. E. v. CRANE ET AL SQUARE .PLUG FLANGER Filed Feb. 1, 19456 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. fbkmfio 1/6 20: f fia om/c/r 6191/5?Array/vans.

E. v. CRANE EIAL 2,389,139

SQUARE PLUG FLANGER Filed Feb. 1, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 20, 1945.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. V. CRANE ET AL SQUARE PLUG FLANGER Filed Feb. 1,1943 Nov. 20, 1945.

INVENTORS.

, M, WL%M M d/66x) AWO/P/V'EK? m A a K m R M E m f M m 0 y M 5 Nov. 20,1945. E, v CRANE Ef AL 2,389,139

SQUARE PLUG FLANGER Filed Feb. 1, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NGV. 20, 1945.E. v. CRANE ET AL SQUARE PLUG FLANGER Filed Feb. 1, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet5 Nov. 20, 1945. E. v. CRANE ET AL 2,389,139

SQUARE PLUG FLANGER Filed Feb. 1, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Q 80K 7 U U k dPatented Nov. 20, 1945 SQUARE PLUG FLAN GER Edward V. Crane andFrederick G. Auer, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to E. W. Bliss Company,Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 1, 1943,Serial No. 474,262

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to container making machinery and moreparticularly to a machine for flanging the ends of container bodieswhich are other than cylindrical .in crosssection. The flangingoperation is preparatory to securing the end in place and requires thedeformation of the ends of the can body, generally by bending the sameoutwardly.

When a cylindrical body is subjected to a flanging operation, the factthat all points at which the body intersects a plane normal to th axi ofthe can and at which the flanging tool engages the body are equidistantfrom the axis enables a flanging operation to be performed without theuse of holding dies and without undesirable bending of the body out ofround. On the other hand, when any other can body, as for instance asquare can, is to be flanged, parts of the surface to be deformed arecloser to the axis than the other parts. are provided to hold the can inshape it will tend to assume .a cylindrical cross-section where thefianging die is forced into the body. Thi is due to the stretch impartedto the metal during flanging.

Flanging machines have been built which are provided with gripping jawsto Jholdthe can and retain it in shape while the fianging dies enter thecan body and bend the can edges outwardly to the desired position. Ithas also been common practice to provide feeding motion for advancingthe can body in timed relation'to the flanging and edging operations.

The various motions employed were of necessity timed in order to providethe proper sequence of operations. This was done by the use of cammechanisms, using the dwells on the cams to im sure the desired timingaction. Such constructions were expensive to build and the operation ofthe cams in the region of the dwells required more power than wasdesirable.

The general object of the present invention has been to provide animproved driving mechanism to impart such motions to the parts. Afurther object has been to incorporate in such driving mechanism aplurality of linkage means including a series of toggle levers toprovide dwells where two or more links move through a region ofaligmnent. This means that period when between two links which are inalignment with each other and are moving through arcs about their pivotpoints the least motion of one link toward or away from the other istaking place. By the judicious use of these dwells the Unless grippingjaws speed and sequence of the various motions can 5 be controlled.Likewise, the time interval for various movements, or the time whenthere is no movement, can be controlled.

One of the advantages of a machine constructed as herein disclosed isthat the use of toggle mechanisms of predetermined coordinated dwellspermits of the operation of the machine at higher production rates thanneretofore attained and without the resulting shock and wearcharacteristic of prior structures wherein cams and cranks were used.When attempts.were made to increase the speed of such prior art machinesthe violence of reversal of cam action, etc, at such higher speedsresulted in rapid depreciation as Well as disruption in the precision ofcoordination acquired. Furthermore, it has been found that a machine asherein disclosed can be manufactured at considerably less cost than themanufacturingcost of machines heretofore made for like purposes.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and relatedends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims; the annexed drawings and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one ofvarious means in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexeddrawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the assembledmachine;

Fig. 2 i an elevation along lines 22 of Fig. 1 with some parts shown insection and some parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is in part an elevation and in part a sectional view showing thedrive connections;

Fig. 4 shows the upper part of the machine in a side view similar toFig. 1 on an enlarged scale, with some parts broken away;

Fig. 5 in a similar way shows the upper part of Fig. 2 on an enlargedscale;

Fig. 6 is a more detailed view of the delivery chute and of themechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figs. 8 to 14 arediagrammatic illustrations of the operating mechanisms, Figs. 8 and 9showing the gripping mechanism in open and closed position respectively,Figs. 10 and 11 the flanging mechanisms open and closed, and Figs. 12,13 and 14 different positions of the feeding mechanism.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the ma- 'part of the machine(Fig. 2).

clutch, well known in the art. to connect the crankshaft part 64 to thedrive is enclosed in a housing 35.

chine is shown to include a feed chute generally designated by l5, fromwhich the cans l6 are fed to a reciprocating cradle mechanism I! whichcarries them in the direction of the arrow to a fianging station C.

The flanging station is located in the upper part of the machine withinthe confines of a frame 29 sitting upon the top of the main machineframe structure. The latter comprises a base 2| and two upright portions22 and 23 in front and rear.

As shown at the right side of Fig. 1 a casing 25 encloses the drivemechanism, comprising a motor M, a flywheel 21, a gear and pinionmechanism 29, 30 and a clutch 3|, all of which ;will be more fullydescribed below with reference to Fig. 3.

The lower part of the machine frame houses the crankshaft 33. Thecrankshaft has a crank pin covered by a cap 34 which extends into thebrake housing 35, which is secured to plate 23.

Mounted within the machine frame are, furthermore, a number ofjlinkagesystems, the'central system being-a system'of toggle levers designatedin a general way by 31, said system operating the gripping jaws. Asecond system of levers, designated by 38, operates the hanging members,two rods, 39 and I 39 respectively, transmitting the movement from thebottom part to the top Finally a system of links serves to actuate thefeeding mechanism. The latter system is operated from the crankshaftthrough a pinion 4| in engagement with'a rack 42 and comprises links 43to 46.

In Fig. 3 the motor is again shown at the righthand side of the machinemounted in a housing 59 on a pedestal The shaft 52 of motor M carries apulley 26 which is connected by the usual belting to flywheel 21. Thelatter is rigidly fastened by means of a bolt 53 to the end of a shaft23 which is journalled in bearing collars and 56 on parts 55 and 5'! ofthe machine frame. Mounted for rotation with said shaft 28 is a pinion29 in mesh with gear 39. The hub of gear 39 is carried in beaing rings59 and E9 on a cylinder 6| which forms part of a. so-called rolling keyKey 62 engages shaft 69 by means of a hand-operated bar 10,

The same bar serves for operating thebrake when-the bar is moved to adifferent position.

The brake which is applied when it is desired to stop the crank afterdisengagement of the clutch, The construction of the brake is well knownand has, therefore, not been shown in the drawings. It is a toggle brakewith a pair of friction pads on shoes encircling the outside of littlebrake wheels andreleasing the wheels when the toggle is straightened,while being pulled toward said wheelsa nd applying the brake when thetoggle is broken,

The crank pin 36 on crankshaft 33 furnishes the drive for all the partsof the machine, that is to say, all the system of toggle levers andother drive transmission means mentioned above with reference to Fig. 1are coupled to the crank pin 36.

-12 is an inclined portion 13 of the deliverychute for directing a canIs to the above mentioned -cradle mechanism I 1. mounted onchannel-shaped feed bars 82. The cradle mechanism is mounted in thesebars so as to be reciprocated therewith by the action of the arm 45 androd 46 which form part of the feed mechanism later to be described. 5The portion 13 has top surfaces formed at a smaller angle with respectto the horizontal plane than rails 12, whereby a smoother reception ofthe cans as they leave the chute will be made possible. Pivctallymounted stops l5 and 16 are provided in the path of the cans which blockthe travel of a can before the cradle can take it to the flangingstation and release a can as soon as the preceding one is removed. Stopis mounted on a bell crank lever 7|, which is pivoted at 80 to a chutemember and at 89 to a lever 18 linked to the slide members carrying thetop clamps, as indicated by reference numeral i9. A spring 8| buffersthe thrusts of lever 18 should stop 75 foul on a can body, the action ofsaid lever being timed with the fianging members.

The cradle mechanism comprises a series of troughs 14 M -and 14, whichsuccessively receive a can 18, carry it from station to station in 'thefianging mechanism and feed it out from there after the flangingoperation is finished. The fianging mechanism is more fully shown inFigs. 4 and 5. Referring more particularl to Fig. 4, a can is shown onarrival from the delivery chute as it is received between two clampingjaws 90 and 9|; The can is held between these jaws untilthe trough 74;which in the drawings is shown in 'midtravel, reaches the extreme leftposition in vertical alignment with jaw 9|. At this time the jaws opento release the can, which is picked .up through 14 and carriedforwardtherein until it reaches a position underneath station A, inwhich it undergoes its first fianging operation. The lifting mechanismrequired for moving a can up to the position A is described below.

After a can has been worked upon in station A ityis lowered again to thecradle, received in trough 14 and therein moved on to a positionunderneath station B. As actually shown in the drawings, cradle I4 is onits way from A to B. After the can has been flanged in station B it isdropped again, received in trough 74. and carried out of the flangingstation.

'Ifwo'pairs'of clamping jaws 90, 9| are provided for embracing theentire periphery of a can at each end, to lift the can from the troughsto the clamping stations and to hold it there during the flangingoperation. The arrangement which affords relative movement between theupper and lower clamping jaws is best seen from Fig. 5. In this figurevertical r'ods 93are shown which guide apair of slideways 95 comprisingintegra1 parts of a cross-frame 99. The rods 93, in turn; are supportedby the machine frame, as shown in Fig. 5. Carried by said cross-frameare angles 91 to which the lower jaws 9| are rigidly secured by bolts.The upper jaws 99 are bolted ,to angles 96 which are in turn securelyfastened to a crossframe 98 carrying members94. The latter are fastenedto rods 93- by nuts 83. Thus, as slideways- 95 are reciprocated on rods93 the lower clamping jaws 9| are moved into and out of engagement withjaws 90 for gripping, lifting, holding and releasing a can respectively.

In Fig. 5 the channel bars 82 are shown to be A'can I6 is shown inposition for being flanged by the heads I03 of fianging members arrangedfor flanging action at both can ends. Details .of the flanges have notbeen shown because they are of known construction.

The drive mechanism for the gripping jaws and the fianging members willnow be described with reference to Fig. 2. From crank 33 a connectingrod IIO leads to a substantially triangular lever II2, hereinaftercalled the central lever. The lever is pivotally mounted on the machineframe at I I2 and linked to connecting rod I I on a pivot III. As thecrankshaft rotates, connecting rod I I0 moves pivot I I I back and forthalong a more or less horizontal line, thereby also rocking the centrallever. Fastened to said lever at H3 is a link II4 which is pivoted atII5 to a T-shaped lever II6, the latter being pivotally mounted at I26to the machine frame. One end of lever IIB has a pivot III to which isalso linked a portion II8 of an adjustable rod connection, the otherpart of which is designated by I20. A threaded member I I9 connectsportions H8 and I20 making them capable of adjustment. Member I20 islinked at I2I to the lower frame I22 which is part of frame 99 carryingthe lower jaws 9i. Fastened to the other end I23 of lever I I6 is asimilar adjustable rod connection comprising parts I28, I29 and I30, thelatter being pivoted at I33 to a cross-member ISI. This member in turnconnects brackets I32 to the two rods 93 which slide in slideways 95mentioned above. As shown in Fig. 5, the rods 93 are slidably supportedin the upper reaches thereof by brackets and by lugs 93 integrallyformed on .the machine frame members 22 and 23 to support said rods.

Figs. '8 and 9 are working diagrams which show the operation of thegripping jaws. Fig. 8 shows the open position of jaws 90 and 9I to whichthe broken position of the to le lever system I I2, I I6, II8 to I20 andI28 to I30 corresponds. connecting rod pulls III to the right, link II4moves up from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9,pivot II'I of lever H6 is raised and'pivot I23 lowered, moving the rodmembers II8 to I20 and I28 to I30 to straight up and down positionsrespectively, and at the same time driving the gripping jaws intooperating or closed position. The position of the gripping jaws is theone also shown in Fig. 2.

It will be noted that when the gripping jaws are in closed positionthere is what we call a threepoint dwell. A dwell is obtained betweentwo pivoted links when they are so moved with respect to each other thattheir two pivoted points and their common point are substantially inalignment. That means that at this time here is the least tendency ofthe two links to be pushed apart because their arcs of rocking orswinging are most nearly tangent. The three points of dwell are at a, band c in Fig. 9.

Reverting once more to Fig. 2, the mechanism for operating the flangingmembers will now be described. For that purpose two pairs of tog lelever systems are provided, one located in the lower portion of themachine and one on top near the flanging dies proper; the lower and theupper systems on each side of the machine are connected to each other byrods 39 and I39 respectively.

At the left-hand side of the machine is a rock shaft I40 having arms I42and I42 Arm I42 is connected to triangular lever M2 by link I43. Pin I33and I42 connects rod 39, which, as mentioned above, leads up to thesecond toggle lever system. This system comprises a bell crank I53 Asthe pivoted to the machine frame at I55 and linked to rod 39st I52. Theother arm of the bell crank is pivoted at I54 to a link I56 which inturn is pivoted at I5'I to the slidable flanging dies I 56.

An extension of arm I42 is pivotally connected to a rod I46, whichextends to the right of the machine in slightly downward direction. Atits other end rod I46 is linked to one arm of a bell crank I 50pivotedidly on the crankshaft 33. The other arm of the bell crank ispivotally mounted on rod I39 which extends to a toggle lever system thatis the duplicate of the one described for the left-hand side of themachine.

The operation of the fianging dies will now be described with referenceto Figs, 10 and 11. In Fig. 10 the dies are in open position. As lever II2 moves to the right it pulls link I43 up, themby moving the compositearm I42 into the position shown in Fig. 11. The movement of arm I42pulls rod I46 to the left, thereby moving bell crank I50 to pull downrod I39. Rods '39 and I39 are moved down simultaneously by the centerarm I42 which, during the rocking movement, changes from the up positionshown in Fig. 10 to the down position shown in Fig. 11 As both rods 39.and I39 move down they pull cranks I53 down, thereby pushing the diesI53 toward each other.

While the arrangement and operation have been described for one pair offianging members cooperating in the first flanging action in station A(Fig. 4) it will be understood by those skilled in the art that aduplicate pair of flangers, which serve to complete the two-stageflanging operation in station B, may be actuated in a similar way bysliding die members corresponding to members I58.

In this case there will be a two-point dwell when the dies are in closedposition. The respective points are marked 0 and d in Fig. 11.

The drive for the cradle rocking or can feed mechanism is shown in Figs.1, 2 and 12 to 14. The connecting rod IIO carries an arm I60 to which arod 40 is connected for vertically reciprocating movement. This rod hasits other end linked to a member I6I carryin the rack 42 (Fig. l). Rack42 is in mesh with a pinion 4|, to which an arm 32, pivotally connectedto a link 43 is attached. Pinion M is journalled in a bearing I62 andattached to the machine frame, (Fig. 12).

Line 43 is pivotally connected to arm 44 of a rock shaft 41, providedwith a second arm 45. Connecting rod 46 connects arm 45 of the rockshaft with the slide bars 82 for longitudinal reciprocation of the camcradle II.

As best seen in Figs. 12 to 14 the reciprocating movement of connectingrod IIO moves rod 40 and thereby rack 42 up and down. This causes pinionM to turn alternately to the left and to the right, thus oscillating arm32. As this oscillation takes place link 43 is moved back and forth andthe movement is transmitted over arms 44, 45 to rod 46, which finallycauses the reciprocation of the cradle slide 82. Fig. 13 shows thepinion in midstroke of the feeding mechanism, Fig. 14 shows the up endposition in which a dwell occurs. Another dwell is reached in the downend position. In one of these positions the cradle is beneath one of theflanging stations; in the other it is in the position to receive a canfrom the delivery ch'ute.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equiv? alent of such stated means be employed. I

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as ourinvention:

1. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaw in saidflanging station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, 'in combination a central lever pivotally mounted to said frame,means for reciprocating said lever, a T-sh'aped toggle lever linked atone of its pivot points to said central lever a link member, saidT-shaped toggle lever being connected at its other pivot point to saidlink member, both said T-shaped toggle lever and said link being capableof connecting said central lever and said gripping jawsfor moving thelatter into and out of clamping engagement with a can to be flanged.

2. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a

cradle mechanism for feedin cans to thc flanging station proper,gripping jaws in said flanging station for clamping said cans for theflanging action and flanging members for bending back the can edges toan angle with the can body, in combination, a system of toggle leversfor operating said gripping paws, said system comprising a, centrallever having a plurality of connecting points, said central lever beingpivotally mounted to said frame, a crankshaft for reciprocating saidcentral lever, a connectin rod for connecting said crankshaft and saidcentral lever and being pivoted to one of said pivot points of saidcentral lever, .T-shaped toggle lever being linked to another of saidpivot points of said lever, a connecting member, said T-sh'aped leverbeing linked at" a second pivot point to said connecting member, saidmember being capable of connecting said gripping jaws to said centrallever for moving said jaws into and out of engagement with a can to beflanged, said toggle lever system having a three-point dwell.

3. In a flanging machine comprising a frame,

mounted to said frame, means for reciprocating r said lever comprising aconnecting rod having one end pivoted to said lever, a pair of togglemeans, one of said pair being linked to one connecting point of saidlever and the other one of said pair being linked to one end of a secondconecting rod, whose other end is linked to said first mentioned togglemeans, means for moving said flanging members into and out of operatingposition, and two elongated members, one at each side of the machine,for connecting said toggle means to said means for moving said flangingmembers.

4. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidfianging station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, in combination a system of toggle levers for operating saidflanging members, said system comprising a central lever having apluralityof connecting points, said lever being pivotally mounted tosaid frame, means for reciprocating said lever comprising a connectingrod having one end pivoted to said lever, a pair of toggle means, one ofsaid pairbeing linked to one connecting point of said lever and one ofsaid pair being linked to the other end of a second connecting rod,whose other end is linked to the first mentioned toggle means, a secondpair of toggle means for moving said flanging members into and out ofoperating position, and two elongated members, one at each side of themachine, for connecting said first mentioned pair of toggle means tosaid second mentioned pair of toggle means.

5. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidflanging station for, clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, in combination a system of toggle levers for operating saidflanging members, said system comprising a central irregularly shapedlever being pivotally mounted to said frame and having three connectingpoints, means for reciprocating said lever comprising a connecting rodhaving one end pivoted to said lever at one connecting point of saidlever, a pair of toggle means, one of said pair being linked to anotherconnecting point of said lever and the other one of said pair beinglinked to the other end of a second connecting rod, whose other end islinked to the first mentioned toggle means, a second pair of togglemeans for moving said flanging members into and out of operatingposition, and two elongated members, one at each side or the machine,for connecting said first mentioned pair of toggle means to said secondmentioned pair of toggle means.

6. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidflanging station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, in combination a system of toggle levers for operating saidgripping jaws and said flanging members in timed relationship, saidsystem comprising a central lever being pivotally mounted to said frameand having a plurality of connecting points, means for reciprocatingsaid central lever comprising a connecting rod having one end pivoted tosaid lever at one connecting point of said lever, one toggle means beingIinked to another connecting point on said central lever and adapted tomove said gripping jaws into and out of engagement with a can to beflanged, a pair of toggle means, one of said pair being linked to athird connecting point of said central lever and the other one of saidpair being linked to one end of a second connecting rod, whose other endis linked to said first mentioned toggle means of said pair means formoving said flanging members into and out of operating position, and twoelongated members, one at each side of the machine, for connecting saidpair of toggle means to said means for moving said flanging members.

7. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidflanging station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, in combination a system of toggle levers for operating saidgripping jaws and said flanging mem bers in timed relationship, saidsystem compris,

ing acentral lever being pivotally mounted to said frame and having a.plurality of connecting points, means for reciprocating said centrallever comprising a connecting rod having one end pivoted to said leverat one connecting point of said lever, one toggle means being linked toanother connecting point on said central lever and adapted to move saidgripping jaws into and out of engagement with a can to be flanged, apair of toggle means, one of aid pair being linked to a third connectingpoint of said central lever and the other one of said pair being linkedto one end of a second connecting rod, whose other end is linked to saidfirst mentioned toggle means of said pair means for moving said flangingmembers into and out of operating position, and two elongated members,one at each side of the machine, forconnecting said pair of toggle meansto said means for moving said flanging members, said toggle means foractuating th gripping jaws having a three-point dwell and said togglemeans for actuating the flanging member having a twopoint dwell.

8. In a flanging mechanism comprising a cradle mechanism for feedingcans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in said flangingstation for clamping said cans for the flanging action and flangingmembers for bending back the can edges to an angle with the can body, incombination a system for operating said feeding mechanism, said systemcomprising a crankshaft, a connecting rod operated b said crankshaft, arack linked to said connecting rod so as to be moved up and downthereby, a pinion mounted for engagement with said rack as the same ismoved up and down by said connecting rod and linkage means operated bysaid pinion for reciprocating said feeding mechanism,

9. In a flanging mechanism comprising a cradle mechanism for feedingcans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in said flangingstation for clamping said cans for the flanging action and flangingmembers for bending back the can edges to an angle with the can body, incombination a system for operating said feeding mechanism, said systemcomprising a crankshaft, a connecting rod operated by said crankshaft, arack linked to said connecting rod so as to be moved up and downthereby, a pinion mounted for engagement with said rack to be turnedback and forth on said rack as the rack is moved up and down and aplurality of links operated by said pinion for reciprocating saidfeeding mechanism.

10. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidflanging station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, in combination a system of linkage means for operating saidfeeding mechanism, said gripping jaws and said flanging members in timedrelationship, said system comprising a central lever being pivotallymounted to said frame and having a plurality of connecting points, meansfor reciprocating said central lever comprising a connecting rod havingone end pivoted to said lever at one connecting point of said lever,toggle means linked to another connecting point on said central leverand adapted to move said gripping jaws into and out of engagement with acan to be flanged, a pair of toggle means, one of said pair being linkedto a third connecting point of said central lever and the other one ofsaid pair being linked to one end of a connecting rod, whose other endisv linked to said first mentioned toggle means of said pair, means. formoving said flanging members into and out of operating position, and twoelongated members, one at each side of the machine, for connecting saidpair of toggle means to said mean-s for moving said flanging members anda plurality of links for operating said feeding mechanism. 7

11. In a flanging mechanism comprising a frame, cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidflanging, station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an angle with the canbody, in combination a system of linkage means foroperating said feedingmechanism, gripping jaws and flanging members comprising a central leverof irregular shape pivotally mounted in said frame, said lever having aplurality of connecting points for actuation of said gripping andflanging mechanisms from a single center, means for reciprocating saidlever, and toggle means for connecting said lever and said grippingjaws, said means being capable of moving said jaws into and out ofclamping engagement with a can to be flanged.

12. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding cans to the flanging station proper, gripping jaws in saidflanging station for clamping said cans for the flanging action andflanging members for bending back the can edges to an arigle with thecan body, in combination a system of toggle levers for operating saidflanging members, said system comprising a central lever having aplurality of connecting points, said lever being pivotally mounted tosaid frame, means for reciprocating said lever comprising a connectingrod having one end pivoted to said lever, a pair of toggle means, one ofsaid pair being linked to one connecting point of said lever and theother one of said pair being linked to one end of a second connectingrod, whose other end is linked to said first mentioned toggle means,means for moving said flanging members into and out of operatingposition, two elongated members, one at each side of the machine, forconnecting said toggle means to said means for moving said flangingmembers, and a cross-member mounted on opposed gripping jaws so as toextend-between them through the width of the flanging station therebyincreasing the resistance of the structure against the action of saidflanging members. 1

13. In a flanging machine comprising a frame, a cradle mechanism forfeeding a plurality of cans to flanging stations proper, pairs ofgripping jaws in said flanging stations for clamping said cans duringthe flanging action and pairs of flanging members for bending back thecan edges to an angle with the can body, in combination a system oftoggle levers for operating said flanging members, said systemcomprising a central lever having a plurality of connecting points, saidlever being pivotally mounted to said frame, means for reciprocatingsaid lever comprising a connecting rod having one end pivoted to saidlever, a pair of interconnected toggle means, one

of said pair being linked to one connecting point of said lever, meansfor moving said flanging members into and out of operating position, andtwo elongated members, one at each side of the machine, for connectingsaid toggle means to said means for moving said flanging members.

-* 14. In a flanging mechanism comprising a reciprocating cradlemechanism for feeding cansto the flanging station proper, gripping jawsin said flanging station for clamping said cans for the flanging actionand flanging members for bending back the can edges on the can body,means for operating said cradle mechanism, gripping jaws and fiangingmembers to provide timed dwells in the respective movements thereof,comprising a single main drive member and linkage means opcessively tosaid operating stations, gripping jaws in said operating stations forclamping said cans for the flanging action and flanging members in eachof said operatingstations for bending back the can edges in a two-stageoperation to an angle with the can body, means for actuating said cradlemechanism, gripping jaws and flanging members comprising, a single maindrive member; and a system of linkage means operated by said main driveand interconnecting the drive member with said cradle mechanism, saidgripping jaws and said flanging members, said linkage means includingtoggles for providing timed dwells in the respective movements of saidcradle mechanism, gripping jaws and flanging members.

EDWARD V. CRANE.

FREDERICK G. AUER.

